The Suque Mateu family has
consistently been able to plan their future and expansion with flair and
imagination. Based in the city of Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain), famous for
being one of the trendiest cities in Europe, this group of enterprising
relatives has helped define what today we call haute couture. In 1904 Damian
Mateu, a successful financier, launched a car company to build the most
reliable and luxurious vehicles for a demanding new wave of industrialist
entrepreneurs. To this end, he partnered with a brilliant Swiss engineer, Marc
Birkigt, to create such automobiles. Their nationalities gave name to the brand
Hispano-Suiza. The first manufacturing plant was outside Barcelona, and Spanish
King Alfonso XIII approved and supported its cars. By the 1920's, the
Hispano-Suiza vehicles were on par with Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, and Isotta
Fraschini. The power and elegance of earlier Hispano- Suiza cars are now highly
praised and featured in the most exclusive car collections worldwide.
In 1923 the family bought
the Peralada Castle and started their wine business. Later on, they open the
first casino in Catalonia. Today, the Peralada Group has expanded its business
interest to satisfy the world's elites' need for culture and leisure. One of
the most successful European enterprises combines old traditions with the
latest technologies. The group also has a library of more than 100,000 old
books, an art gallery, a wine museum, a theater, and a golf course and
organizes an annual cultural festival.
So it is no surprise that
Carmen Mateu, in the 1970's wanted to bring back automobile production. In
addition to luxury cars, Hispano Suiza built trucks, buses, and airplane
engines in that sector. All that legacy needed to come back. It has taken some
years, but a new Coupe is bearing the name Carmen, in honor of the lady's wish,
and is rolling the street of Los Angeles. The hypercar Hispano Suiza Bouglone
is like no other car in the world.
Sergio Martinez Campos,
CEO of the car division, told me: "It is an honor to bring the car back.
And we have been given the resources to build something special." And it
starts with the name; Boulogne was the city of the first Hispano-Suiza race
win. The car falls into the exotic hypercar segment, which means a bolide
of impressive performance and limited production. The latest Hispano Suiza is
an electric car with an 80 kWh, 700-volt battery, and one thousand horsepower.
Four AC electric motors are in the car's rear to catapult this beautiful
sculpture like a jet taking off an aircraft carrier.
The interior is
handcrafted with the best leathers and custom-made to order by the owner.
"The quality of craftsmanship is essential to us. Hard to do since
leatherwork artists are just a few in today's world", said Martinez
Campos. The digital instrument panel almost comes alive through high-end
technology innovation. The ambiance is of luxury and quality that you can feel
by touch.
The exterior is bold and
futuristic. Based on the Hispano Suiza Dubonnet Xenia of the 1930s, a car like
no other and that revolutionized exterior design at that time. The aerodynamic
flow is visible at first sight, and the car seems to be rolling as you see it
standing still. Made of carbon fiber, it is light and extra strong. Extreme
care ensures each panel is perfect before it goes into the autoclave. The
wheels are also unique. "The tire technology limits us," said
Martinez Campos. "We can make it faster, but the tires wouldn't
hold."
Eric Graciano, Director of
Business Development, commented: "This Carmen is the beginning of a new
Hispano Suiza car line. In addition to what you see, we are working on new
developments in power trains that will be revolutionary." "The best
is that we have a bit of freedom to push the envelope and continue the high
quality and innovation legacy that set our cars apart in the past. Now we'll do
it again." Judith Aldabo, also with the Barcelona firm, provided another
perspective. She mentioned how important it is for the enterprise to
incorporate Barcelona's cultural aspects, character, and fashion into the
rolling sculpture. The car must impart the feeling of being unique beyond the
power capabilities.
The Carmen Boulogne is
something exceptional at many levels. Complete integration of technology,
materials, and spirit. Like a stork in flight, it transmits awe, grace, and
tenderness. Something that makes you stop and enjoy with all your senses.